Dictionary.com

cacology

[ ka-kol-uh-jee, kuh- ]
/ kæˈkɒl ə dʒi, kə- /
Save This Word!
See synonyms for cacology on Thesaurus.com
noun
defectively produced speech; socially unacceptable diction.
QUIZ
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?
There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?
Question 1 of 7
Which sentence is correct?
His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of cacology

First recorded in 1615–25; caco- + -logy

Words nearby cacology

cacodylic acid, cacoepy, cacoëthes, cacogenics, cacography, cacology, cacomistle, caconym, cacophonous, cacophony, cacqueteuse
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to cacology

abuse, barbarism, blunder, error, impropriety, mistake, misusage

British Dictionary definitions for cacology

cacology
/ (kəˈkɒlədʒɪ) /
noun
a bad choice of words; faulty speech

Word Origin for cacology

C17 (in the sense: ill report): from Greek kakologia
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
FEEDBACK